2005 Mercedes SL-Class Owner's Manual - Page 319

Operation Vehicle care Engine cleaning Prior to cleaning the engine compartment, make sure to protect electrical components and connectors from contact with water and cleaning agents. Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticorrosion Wax, should be applied to the engine compartment after every engine cleaning. Before applying, all control linkage bushings and joints should be lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be protected from any wax. Vehicle washing Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo. Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a diffused jet of water. Direct only a very weak spray towards the ventilation intake. Use plenty of water and rinse the sponge and chamois frequently. Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the finish. Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle through an automatic car wash to prevent damage to the mirrors. In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of road salt as soon as possible. When washing the underbody, do not forget to clean the inner sides of the wheels. Ornamental moldings For regular cleaning and care of very dirty chrome-plated parts, use a chrome cleaner. Headlamps, side markers, tail lamps, turn signal lenses Use a mild car wash detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo, with plenty of water. To prevent scratches, never apply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratchy cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth or sponge. i Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft (1 m), the vehicle could be inadvertently locked or unlocked. 317